Envelop-sealing device.



D. H. MOSTELLER & C. E. KENNEDY.

ENVELOP SEALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, I914.

m f SH rl mum w i 5 why W Mm w i/ H mm nHs .m ire m v W mm mm m F JMN NW \mMNA \N .U v QM RH mm. N & 1 1 x. k w M Q mgw 0 m. T P .Q RN y n n a v R QT Q w .t Q i llllllllllllll I .i 2-1113111 2 Q MN Q Q mm wh Q m a. NM 3 e v m 2. m+ W 1 U. H. MOSTELLER & C. E. KENNEDY.

ENVELOP SEALING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1914.

1,226,238. A Patented May 15, 1917.

2 SHEETS SHEET 2.

m5 uomus Inch: 50.. Imam-1.1mm. wasnmo you. n. c.

DOSIER H. MOSTELLER AND GHARLES'E. KENNEDY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ENVELOP-SEALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1917.

Application filed May 4, 1914. Serial No. 836,333.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DOSIER H. Mos'rnn- LER and CHARLES E; KENNEDY, both citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Sealing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for sealing a quantity of envelops by the application of a vapor bath to moisten the gummed flaps, and thereafter by compressing the envelops to cause a firm adherence of each flap to the body of its envelop.

In the present invention, we have sought to devise a means for sealing envelops which is simple, inexpensive, and positive, and in which a large quantity of envelops may be sealed simultaneously, as distinguished from other devices in which the envelops are sealed successively; a device in which the application of pressure necessary to insure a tight seal may be applied without causing a sealing of inclosed envelops; and an apparatus in which the various parts thereof are arranged and constructed with reference to the highest degree of efliciency and minimum amount of time necessary to effect the sealing operation. The invention further consists in numerous other features of construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through the apparatus on line 11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the forward end of the same;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on lin 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is a horizontal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 55 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a detail showing a means for applying pressure to the upper edges of a stack of envelops without compressing the lower edges thereof.

Referring to the drawings, we have shown a casing 7 constructed in the form of a cabinet, divided by a partition 8 into upper and lower compartments 9 and 10 respectively. Within the upper compartment a drawer 11 is positioned, a handle 12 being secured to the forward end thereof as clearly appears in Figs. 1 and 2.

The bottom 13 of the drawer is arranged to lie on an inclination, (see Fig. 1) the forward end being elevated slightly above the rear end thereof. The drawer bottom, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 3, is.provlded with a centrally depressed channel or trough 14, intermediate channels 15 on either side, and outer channels 16. The surface of the drawer bottom is covered or llned with a substance l6 having nonhygroscopic properties, and it is upon such a surface that the lower edges of a stack of envelops will rest. Adjustably secured within each of the channels 16 is a pivoted wall 17 capable when turned into horizontal position of lying substantially flush with the bottom of the drawer, and capable also of being swung into vertical position to constitute anevener for the envelop stack, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. By the use of these walls in a properly adjustable position, envelops of difi'erent lengths can be accommodated with uniform support in the present device. The swinging walls are supported on each end by a rod 18, bent, if desired, in the form of operating cranks, the rods being journaled in notched slots 19 to permit of various lateral adjustments.

Transversely within the drawer and normally at the rear end thereof is a movable pressure block 20, the forward surface of which is covered with a material 20 having a non-hygroscopic surface, this pressure block being capable of adjustment longitudinally within the drawer through the agency of side arms, 21 which project through the forward end of the drawer and are there secured to a common handle 22. It is to be noted that this pressure block has in its lower central portion a tongue 22 which protrudes and fits snugly into the channel 14!: for purposes to be hereafter explained. When adjusted in any desired position, the pressure block is locked against return movement through the instrumentality of teeth 23 formed on the lower edge of the arms 21 which engage with the lower end of the slots 23 in the forward face of the drawer through which the arms project.

The lower compartment 10 contains apparatus for delivering to the compartment 9 a quantity of vapor. A reservoir 2-1 within which a supply of water may be stored is represented as having an opening for replenishing of liquid as at 25 (see Figs. 4 and 5). For purposes of convenience, we

and preferably elevated as close to the partition 8 as is practicable.

Adjacent the said reservoir and eXtending lengthwise on the other side of the casing within the compartment 10 is a heating apparatus which consists of a plurality of tubes 26, the ends of which are connected with common pipes 27 and 28, communication from the reservoir 24: to the tube 27 being established by the pipe 29. A valve 30 intercepts the pipe 29, the valve operating handle 31 being carried through the forward side of the'casing within convenient reach of the operator. We have preferred to mark graduations on said handle, as shown in Fig. 2, that the operator may have an exact means of determining the extent to which the valve is at all times opened.

The pipe 28 communicates through an elbow 32 with the upper compartment 9, the open end of this elbow being fitted with a gasket 33. A second elbow 3a is disposed partly within the channel 14 of the drawer, the downwardly depending end of this elbow being tapered to fit nicely within the gasket. It is intended that the drawer may be pulled out or replaced in position by an upward lifting movement of the forward end thereof which results in a connection or disconnection of the elbow 34: with respect to the gasket 33.

The tubes 26 are preferably formed of copper flattened out until the space between the inside walls in one direction is but a small fraction of an inch. An insulating substance surrounds these tubes, such as mica, over which suitable round wire or ribbon wire is wound through which an electric circuit may pass. We have shown a switch 35 positioned on the front of the casing to control the action of the current used, the current being supplied to the terminals 36 connecting with any suitable source. It is obvious that with the heater constructed of suitable materials, the coils surrounding the tubes will speedily bring the water therein to a very high temperature, and steam results therefrom which travels through the connections 32 and 34 into the groove 1&- in the bottom of the envelop drawer.

The operation of'sealing the envelops is substantially as follows: A quantity of envelops is stacked edgewise in the drawer, the walls 17 being properly adjusted against the sides of the stack. The envelops are stacked loosely, flap edge preferably downward, an appreciablespace intervening between each of the envelops. Steam at a low temperature containing particles of water in suspension is then delivered to the central channel 14 of the envelop drawer at the extreme forward end thereof. Inasmuch as this channel is unobstructed from the forward end of the drawer clear through to the pressure block, the steam will quickly diffuse therethrough, and because the envelops are loosely stacked together, the steam so diffused will penetrate between the envelops to act upon the flaps thereof. This vapor bath treatment is continued for a few moments, sufficient for the purpose, but not so long as to cause other parts of the envelops to become unsealed. Liquid is supplied to the heater during the time it is operated from the reservoir under the control of the valve 30.

When the vapor bath treatment has continued for the desired time, no more steam is admitted, the pressure block, however, being then drawnforward through the instrumentality of the handle 22, whereupon a compression of the envelops within the drawer is effected. Previous to stacking the envelops within the drawer, cords are laid within the channels 15, the ends being brought up around the stack ends over the upper edges of the envelops, so. that while compression continues, these cords may be tied, thus arranging the envelops in bundles ready for mailing. The drawer may then be withdrawn from the casing, and another containing a supply of unsealed envelops be inserted in its St61g 1,l3l1 above operation be ing againpractised.

In many instances, the envelops to be sealed may contain inclosed envelops which should themselves not be sealed. This end can be attained by inserting in inverted position each of the inclosed envelops, so that when the covering envelops are arranged each with the flap side down, the inclosed envelops will be disposed flap edge up. A plate-like member 37 having a plurality of downwardly depending V-shaped ridges 38 is laid across the top of the envelop drawer for the purpose of causing a compression of the upper edges of the covering envelops and division into groups or bunches, as clearly appears in Fig. 6. The vapor bath, under such circumstances, is unable to penetrate into the inclosed envelops to moisten their gummed flaps, so that the sealing is confined entirely to the covering envelops.

It should be noted that, by'the arrangement described, thechamber will at all times be substantially free of water of condensation, due to the provision of means for drainage. In addition to this, however, the surfaces 16 and 20 against which the envelops rest are of such a character that the retention Or accumulation of water thereon will be prevented, thus insuring that no injury will result to the envelops placed in the device.

It will be apparent that the particular form and arrangement of the present device can be varied almost without limitation. In

the embodiment illustrated, we have shown but one drawer, whereas it is obvious a casing capable of handling a large number of drawers will operate in substantially the same Way. We have furthermore shown and described a heating appliance operated by a current of electricity. This represents one neat and efficient means of producing steam, but it is manifest that any steam derived from any other source could be used with results substantiallythe same.

We claim:

1. The process of sealing envelops which consists in arranging a quantity of envelops with flaps folded upon the body in loosely stacked relation, in simultaneously treating the gummed flaps to a vapor bath to render the flaps sticky, and thereafter applying to the entire stack of envelops a pressure sufficient to cause the flap of each envelop to firmly adhere to its respective envelop body, substantially as described.

2. The process of sealing envelops which consists in first arranging within a suitable chamber a quantity of envelops in loosely stacked relation with the flapped edges thereof uniformly disposed in proximity to the envelop bodies, secondly, in difiusing for a brief interval through suitable means of communication a quantity of vapor along the flapped edges of the. envelops, whereby the intervening spaces and flaps between the envelops are treated to a vapor bath, and, thirdly, in compressing the stack of envelops in a direction transversely of their length and width to cause a firm impingement of each envelop flap against its respective envelop body, substantially as described.

3. The process of sealing envelops which consists in first arranging within a suitable chamber a quantity of envelops in loosely stacked relation all resting on edges adjacent the flaps thereof, each flap being ar-' ranged in proximity to its respective en-' velop body, secondly, in difiusing for a brief interval through suitable means of communication a quantity of vapor along the lower flapped edges of the envelops, whereby the intervening spaces and flaps between the envelops are treated to a bath of vapor which tends to rise in the chamber, and, thirdly, in compressing the stack of envelops in a direction transversely of their length and width to cause a firm impingement of each envelop flap against its respective envelop, substantially as described.

4. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which gummed envelops may be stacked on edge, a trough provided Within said chamber arranged adjacent to each of the envelops therein,'means for admitting a quantity of steam through the trough into the chamber to soften the r gummed flaps of the envelops, and means for applying pressure to each envelop to cause each envelop flap to be firmly compressed against its respective envelop, substantially as described.

5. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which gummed envelops may be stacked on edge, the bottom of said chamber on which said envelops rest being provided with a nonhygroscopic surface, and means for admitting a quantity of steam into the chamber to be diffused therethrough, whereby the gummed envelop flaps are rendered sticky, substantially as described.

6. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which gummed envelops may be stacked on edge, the bottom of said chamber on which said envelops rest being provided with a non-hygroscopic surface, means for admitting a quantity of steam into the chamber to be diffused therethrough whereby the gummed envelop flaps are rendered sticky, and means for applying pressure to said envelops to cause each flap to adhere to its respective envelop, substantially as described.

An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which a supply of gummed envelops may be placed, means for admitting a quantity of steam into the chamber to be diffused therethrough whereby the gummed envelop flaps are rendered sticky, and means for applying pressure to said envelops to cause each envelop flap to be sealed upon its respective envelop, substantially as described.

8. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which gummed envelops may be stacked on edge, means for admitting a quantity of steam into the chamber to be diffused therethrough whereby the gummed envelop flaps are rendered sticky, andmeans for applying pressure to said envelops to complete the sealing operation, comprising a pressure block movably positioned at one end of the envelop stack and arranged to be advanced thereagainst as desired, substantially as described.

9. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber, a drawer removable therefrom and arranged to retain a stacked supply of gummed envelops, means within said drawer for adjusting the degree of pressure with which said envelops are maintained in stacked relation, and means for admitting a quantity 'of steam into contact with the gummed flap of each envelop operable only when said drawer is positioned within the chamber, substantially as described.

10. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber within which a supply of gummed envelops may be placed, and means for di' recting a quantity of steam into contact with the gummed edges of the envelops, there being other meansfor preventing the steam from contacting the gummed edges of inversely inclosed envelope, substantially as described.

11. An envelop sealing device embodying a chamber Within which supply of 'unnned envelops may be placed, means for directing a quantity of steam into contact with the gumined edges of the envelops, there being other means for preventing the steam from contacting the guinn ed edges of inversely inclosed enveleps, and means for applying at; pressure to the covering envelops to cause each envelop flap to adhere to its respective envelop, substantially as described.

DOSEER H. MOSTELLER. CHARLES E. KENNEDY. Witnesses EPHRAIM BANNING,

WM. P. BOND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

, Washington, D. C. 

